Splendid panorama and above-average sunshine will delight those who want to enjoy the scenery – and who doesn’t!

St Jean Resort Information

The resort of St-Jean d’Arves (which is one of 28 hamlets) has wide panoramic views of the three Aiguilles d'Arves peaks culminating at 3514 m, and described as "the most beautiful Alpine Trilogy" by the father-and-son team Almer and William Coolidge who officially made the first ascent). Peak Retreats features accommodation, the Chalet des Marmottes, which is in the village of La Chal. The Arvan river crosses the village and flows into the Arc river in Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne. This provides a wonderful setting and base for a Saint Jean ski holiday.

The charming rural village, which takes its name from the local dialect word 'Arva' (running water), is still imbued with local traditions. The tourist office invites you to a welcome glass of wine every Sunday in order to present the entertainment programme and the activities for the week.

The A43 motorway and the railway station in Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne (and the airports in Lyon, Chambéry, Grenoble and Geneva) make for easy access.

Accommodation in St Jean d'Arves

St Jean d'Arves

Saint-Jean is part of one of the largest ski areas in the 'Les Sybelles' valley (a clever play on words of ‘Les SixBelles’ – six beautiful - resorts) sharing 310km of terrain with the neighbouring resorts of Le Corbier, Saint-Sorlin d'Arves. La Toussuire. The area is set against the magnificent backdrop of Les Aiguilles d'Arves and the Massif de Belledonne.

St Jean & Les Sybelles Ski Area

Saint-Jean is fully linked to the Sybelles ski domain, the largest in the Maurienne Valley with 310km of piste and 6 resorts (and 4th largest in France!). Other resorts include La Toussuire, Les Bottières, Le Corbier, Saint-Sorlin d’Arves, Saint-Colomban.

Les Sybelles is a huge ski area with two snow parks, an Arvapark (a place to learn to ski in safety), ski routes for hiking, cross country skiing and snowshoeing, sleigh rides, snowmobiling, “baptêmes de neige” flights in a microlight or hang-glider. And let’s not forget the gastronomic delights: fondue, raclette, reblochonnade, tartiflette and many traditional Savoyard recipes await you at the local restaurants. The skiing is ideal for beginners to intermediates, with 40 per cent of the pistes graded easy.

St Jean & Les Sybelles Beginners

Beginners will find the slow draglifts and gentle nursery slopes an ideal place to learn. For children and beginners, Saint-Jean d'Arves provides access to three ski lifts that go from the snow base at La Chal. The local slopes are ideal for beginners.

St Jean & Les Sybelles Intermediates

There are a number of red slopes at Le Corbier and further intermediate opportunities across in La Toussuire.

St Jean & Les Sybelles Experts

There isn’t much choice for experts in the immediate St Jean and Le Corbier area but there are nine black runs in Les Sybelles overall. There’s a long black run from Pointe du Corbier at 2265m. Advanced skiers will enjoy the long descents from Le Grand Truc. Over a quarter of the slopes in Les Sybelles are red runs though. And there’s a snowpark at the top of Le Corbier.

St Jean & Les Sybelles Runs

St Jean Ski Hire

Please note, these Pound Sterling prices are for indication only. They will fluctuate based on Euro/£ exchange rate. Please call us for the latest prices.

Special offers: *7 days for the price of 6. Free Skis/snowboard & boots (Blue/Red) for party leaders of groups of 10 or more all taking equipment. 1 Free helmet per child aged 6 and under for every adult booking skis or snowboards & boots (must be under same booking reference and requested on form above). Other duration prices on request - Cross Country ski prices on request.

Please note, these Pound Sterling prices are for indication only. They will fluctuate based on Euro/£ exchange rate. Please call us for the latest prices.

Ski School: Please note that lesson times are subject to change right until the last minute. Outside French school holidays the ski school reserves the right to cancel group lessons should numbers be insufficient. For peak periods (24/12-7/1, 11/2-11/3 & 31/3-24/4) we strongly recommend that you book as early as possible and in any case at least 6 weeks prior to the required dates. Morning lessons tend to get booked up first and therefore we may only be able to offer afternoon classes within 6 weeks of departure. In some resorts English speaking instructors may not always be available, particularly at peak times.

We cannot always guarantee that prices will be cheaper than in resort. When ski packs prices are calculated, the currency is bought at the exchange rates that apply at the time. You can be assured that once you have booked your extras, if the pound depreciates, you will not be charged more for your ski packs, enabling you to budget for your holiday in advance.

St Jean Individual Tuition (16/17 prices, NOT pre-bookable)

Individual tuitions can only be purchased directly from the ski school. Peak Retreats cannot pre-book these.

Around €40 - 60 per hour for 1-2 people.

Please note that prices are only an indication and are subject to change.

Snowpark rates - €26 per day without a lift pass. Extension passes available from €5.90.

Winter rates 2016/17The beginner ski pass is for children, beginners and those who want to restart. It provides access to three ski lifts on the snowfront of La Chal. These slopes there are ideal for learning to glide!

One day: €13.70

4 consecutive hours : €12.20

Photo ID not required

A skibus "Les Sybelles" links the snow front of Saint Jean d'Arves (La Chal) to that of Saint Sorlin d'Arves (Le Plan du Moulin). Daily from the begining of season to the end of March . Timetable available on ski maps. Access restricted to Sybelles skipass holders.

Cross-country in Les Sybelles

3 cross country skiing altitude rings at the top of Choseaux chairlift. (at 3km)Great panorama. 1 green slope1 blue slope: 1,8km 1 red slope: 4KmOn this area you can walk with snowshoes or skating. No loan of equipment on site.

Les Sybelles SnowPark

Sy’X Park Altitude: 2100/ 2300m. The snowpark has 3 zones: EasyPark, designed for beginners and novice freestylers. Kicks 4 between 2 and 6 m, a hip and 9 modules type boxes / rails (between 3 and 6 m). The Sy'X Park kicks 4 between 6 and 8 m, 2 large tables of 15 to 20m (open appreciation of shapers), an S-box of 12m, a down / flat / down 10 m, a box of 9 m and a trunk 5 m high. Boardercross, 14 and 14 turns of 1.5 km whoops.

These areas are open from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for EasyPark and from 12:00 to 16:00 for the Snowpark. These openings and the preparation and arrangement of modules obviously depend on snow conditions. Access is from top of Le Corbier.

St Jean d'Arves resort season dates

St Jean Child Care

Les Cherubins

Nursery in La Chal. Welcome children from 3 months till 6 years old.

Open from Sunday 17th December 2016 until Friday 14th April 2017. The nursery is situated in the resort center La Chal, in front of the slopes at 200 meters from the tourist accommodations and shops.The nursery has a welcoming capacity of 30-35 children to three months until six years old (included). The nursery is open Sunday to Friday between 8.45am and 5.45pm

St Jean Resort Activities

St Jean Pedestrain Lifts

Pedestrians are allowed to take the chairlift of La Chal, to admire the view, for a walking with the sport leaders with snowshoes or to get to the restaurant in altitude with snowshoes.

St Jean Sledding

A secure sledge area, under the responsibility of guardians, located next to the chairlift La Chal.

St Jean Dog sledging

Dog sledging or initiation for driving!

Throughout the winter, with huskies, malamutes and Greenlandic of the mushers,discover this northern activity, with family or individual, accessible to all, on request.Place of departure depending on snow and on schedule.

By sleigh: 2 adults + 1 childBreaks are provided to enable everyone to ask questions and take pictures and cuddly dogs.

St Jean Ski Joering

Get pulled by a horse... with your skis on, your snowboard or inside a sledge!Activity open for all levels including beginners and small children. On registration in tourist office as soon as possible.

St Jean Trampo-jump

Twice a week: see on entertainment program.

In La Chal, let's reach the Arves peaks by jumping on an incredible trampoline and try the wildest figures!

Available from 4 years old, until 90kg.Free in winter.

St Jean Children's play area

From 1 to 12 years.

Children play area with different games. In front of the tourist office of La Chal. Free access, under responsibility of the parents.

St Jean Snowscooters

Between the BMX and the Snowboard, the snowscoot offers new possibilities for the pleasure of the glide and the freestyle. With its everything is allowed: acrobatic jump, spectacular figures, also in the snowpark. Snowscoot rental in all ski rental stores in La Chal.

Lifts accessible: information close to the skilifts desk.

Rates 16/17:

Driver from 18 years: 1 h: 90€

Passenger from 6 years: 1 h: 40€

With the guide: 30 min: 25€1 h: 30€

St Jean Cinema

In la Chal, 215 seats, large screen, numerical sound, some original version movies. Tickets on sale at the cinema 30 mn before movie starts. €7.50 per person.

St Jean Markets

Crafts, souvenirs and local quality food sale.Every Wednesday during winter and summer tourist season. From 3.00 pm. to 7.00 pm. At La Chal.And on Saturday mornings at St Jean de Maurienne (22km).

St Jean Paragliding

St Jean Honey-making

Discover bee’s world, honey production and products (lollipops, candles, soaps) with Sebastien. Free. Open on Thursday from 5.30 to 7.30 p.m. Find Sébastien on the market of La Chal on Wednesday afternoon.

St Jean Bowling - (Saint Sorlin - 3 km)

South facing terrace behind the Tourist Office, sport broadcast.

500m2 of leisure space dedicated to your pleasure, located behind the tourist office of Saint Sorlin d'Arves. Games room to play in day or evening.

Cheese dairy and cheese shop in Saint Sorlin d’Arves (2 km)

Cheese making and shop, Saint Sorlin d’Arves, 2 km. Free guided tour everyday in the morning except Sunday and public holidays in touristic season. Shop open all week long from 8.45 am and 12.15 pm and from 2.30 pm to 7 pm during touristic season.

Turin Visit

Come out to the Italian fashion and discover the fantastic market in Turin during a day trip! In a lively atmosphere you will enjoy the freshness of authentic local traditions, and the latest fashion trends during your stroll ... A one-hour stop at Susa is expected on the return way. Start from St Jean d'Arves at 6.35 am.

Please note: All the above information is for information only. For the most up-to-date information please visit the resort tourist office website. All prices for activities are in local currency (€ Euros) and are bookable and payable locally in resort.

Getting to St Jean, France

By Road:

Driving distance from Calais: 580 miles or 8hrs30. By Saint Jean de Maurienne: Auto route A43 Chambéry – Turin, exit no.27 St Jean de Maurienne. Follow direction ‘Vallée de l’Arvan – Col de la Croix de Fer’ by the RD 926 (22km). Please note ‘Les Cois du Glandon et de la Croix de Fer’ is closed from end of November until middle of May.

Last general petrol station in Saint Jean de Maurienne although petrol station now at the entrance of Saint Jean d'Arves, direction Col de la Croix de Fer. Self service 24h/24. Credit card payment only.

By Rail:

In winter there are schedule bus transfers from the SNCF rail station of Saint Jean de Maurienne to the above resort.

Every day during winter season. Don’t forget to book or to confirm your return ticket in Tourist Office on Thursday!

Getting around St Jean d'Arves

A connexion is possible to catch the free shuttle of Saint Sorlin d’Arves at the bus stop “La Fromagerie.”

From December the 21st to the end of March, Sunday to Friday from 8:30 am to 6.00 pm (around every 30 minutes). Saturday from 9:00 to 12:00 am and 2:30 to 5:30 pm. From the end of March to the end of the winter season the shuttles are reduced.See timetable at the bus stop or in the tourist office.

A skibus "Les Sybelles" links the snow front of Saint Jean d'Arves (La Chal) to that of Saint Sorlin d'Arves (Le Plan du Moulin). Daily from the begining of season to the end of March . Timetable available on ski maps. Access restricted to Sybelles skipass holders.

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About Us

We are a true specialist award winning ski operator giving holiday makers the opportunity to discover the real Alpine France. Enjoy all you expect of a French Alps holiday - first-class accommodation and stunning scenery but also discover unspoilt, traditional and welcoming mountain villages.